Toilet or traveling case



April 21, 1936. l.. G. STANLEY l TOILET 0R TRAVELING CASE Filed Nov. 5, 1934 INVENTOR.' LOWM ci s YMQ,

ATTORNEY vPatented Apr. 21, y1936 UNITED STATES PATENT vOFI-ICE 2,038,519 TOILET on TaAvELING cAsE Leopold G. Stanley, Maplewood, N. J.

Application November 5, 1934, Serial No. 751,437

` 3 Claims. 'This invention is a novel toilet or traveling case,

and has reference more especially to a closable case made from leather or similar sheet material and with interior arrangements of mounting means or receptacles for removably holding a set of toilet articles or various traveling accessories. p An instance of a toilet or traveling case of this'general class is that shown in my prior Patent `and which opens in an improved manner for superior utility and convenience. A particular object is to afford a case of the kind referred to which, when opened into operative position, not merely displays "and renders easily accessible the various articles accommodated therein, as brushes, supplies, containers and the like, but which, when in use and open occupies a relatively small space on the table, bureau or other support, contrary to the case shown in said prior patent which opens. flatly and occupies a large supporting area.

A further object is to afford a traveling toilet case which, as an article of merchandise. may readily and very advantageously be placed on display for selling purposes, by setting it up into operative or open position wherein the entire contents and mounted articles are rendered promi-,

nently visible and easily accessible, and yet which occupies relatively small table space on the sales counter; it is self displaying of its advantages and contents. Other and more particular objects and advantages will be explained in the hereinafter following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention or will be apparent to those conversant with the subject.

To the attainment of such objects and advantages the present invention consists in the novel toilet or traveling case andthe novel features of construction, arrangement, combination and detail herein illustrated or described.

In the accompanying drawing JFigure l is a. perspective view of a toilet or traveling case in closed condition embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view with the case of Fig. 1 fully open and-set up in its operative or display-position, with its article holders or receptacles shown supplied with articles, toilet requisites, or traveling accessories.

Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the angle piece or iron indicated inidotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2,.

Fig. 4 is a fore-and-aft vertical section'view of portions of the case adjacent to the rear side, with the case in its open position; and Fig. 5 is 5 a similar vietv with the case closed.

Fig. 6 is an exterior perspective view of a modification wherein the angle piece consists of a plurality of cooperating angle sections.

The disclosed embodiment of the present in- 10 vention may be generally described as comprising certain members or sections united to'each other, as follows. A base sectionv I0 constitutes the bottom of the case and is of substantial length and width, preferably rectangular, and 15 adapted to rest atly on a support or table as shown.y There is also a top or upper section II constituting the cover` of the case and having substantially the same dimensions as the base section. Intermediate these is a back strip or 2o plate I2 connected with the base and top sections and having a width corresponding to the thickness of the closed case. The closure is completed by lilexible'rim flanges or flaps at, or extending around, the ends and front of the case, 25 concealing the contents,4 there preferably being a rim`1iange I3 at the underside of the top section and a low rim flange I4 around the upper side of the base section.

Preferably the case has a means for fastening 30 it when closed and for this purpose there is shown a continuous fastening means on so-called zipper fastener I5 around each of the rim flanges, adapted to be closed or opened by theA movements of the usual runner I6; although the fastening might 35 be by simple strap or snap fastener. Each of the sections is provided with interior holding means in the form oi straps or receptacles or the like for vremovably mounting various articles or accessories thereon as will be later described; the 40 heavier and more bulky articles being mounted on the base section, giving the case greater stability, articles of lighterl weight being mounted on the top section for display and access whenv open.

According to this invention, while the case is generally flexible, each of the sections I 0 and II and the back strip I2 is relatively stiflhas/compared with the rim flanges and hinge, due to structure such as will be described, but between 50 the base section and back strip is a exible joint or hinge I'I, afforded for example by an interruption of the interior stifening, and about which hinge the case may be swung open as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 or closed as in Figs. 1 and 5.

Instead however of a flexible joint or hinge at the angle I8 between the back strip I2 and the top section II, this invention is characterized by a stiffening means other than the rim flanges, for example, a rigid angle piece I9 embodied both in the back strip and the top section and holding them permanently at approximately right angles to each other, although preferably with a slight back slant to the top section. The angle piece I9 is preferably a bent piece of stiff metal, as sheet iron, although it might be composed of ber or composition, and as shown separately in Fig. 3 its adjacent portions preferably stand approximately at right angles, or slightly greater than 90, to each other.

- By this provision of a flexible joint I 'l between the base section and back strip but a rigid angle piece I9 embodied in the back strip and top section, a simple and effective arrangement is provided whereby, when the case is open, the base section and the back strip rest flatly upon the support or table, while the top section upstands in a firm manner approximately vertically therefrom, so that the 'articles mounted on both sections are accessibly displayed. The case closes with a simple swinging movement about the hinge I1 and readily opens and holds its open position. It may therefore advantageously be used for traveling purposes or set up on a display counter in a store, being self supporting in its open position, with the contained articles displayed to best advantage, and a minimum of table 'or shelf space occupied.

The Structure of each of the sections I and I I and the back strip I2 may be substantially the same and may for example comprise an outer i covering of leather or similar flexible ornamental material, which is preferably a continuous or uni` tary piece extending from -end to end of the a`ssembled parts. Since such material does not give the desired stiffness to permit the top section to stand upright, there is interposed, beneath the leather covering, a stiffening layer 22 of cardboard, ber or other light plate material, which is shown interrupted at the hinge I1, so that the covering and lining may constitute the hinge. At the vinner side of the stiffening is a layer of lining 23 which may be of fabric, leather or the like, also continuous from end to end, and between the covering and lining may be other usual materials, such as padding. As seen in Figs. 4

and 5 the angle iron I9 is preferably embodied in the top section and back strip in a position between the leather covering 2I and the cardboard stiifening 22; and as the metal piece may have Va blunt edge there is shown an additional layer 24 of stiff paper or the like to minimize the external appearance of ridges.

At the interior, on the base section I0 is shown a series of holders for the articles to be accommodated; for example a strap 25 to hold a brush 26 and a n tainers .28 in the form of boxes, cans etc. to hold tooth brush, soap, supplies, etc. These articles constitute the greater part of the weight of the contents of the case and hold the case firmly o the table when open. f

Inside the top section II are accommodated light articles, there being a strap 30 for a comb 3| and receptacles or pockets 32 for thin articles.

of convenience 33 and a mirror 34. The flat inner face of the back strip I2 may accommodate a at article, preferably by a swingable' pocket facilitating the extraction of the article.

The action and 'use of the described case will ber of straps 21 to hold various conbe apparent from the drawing. When the case is in the open position of Figs. 2 and 4 the center of gravity of the rigidly combined back strip and top section is approximately above the angle I8 and therefore somewhat to the rear of the hinge I1, so that the case rests open in stable condition on the table. The upstanding top section is thus self supporting and the case may be shaken or the top section rocked to a substantial degree without causing either closing of the case or overturning thereof, especially as only the lighter articles are held and displayed in the top section. Preferably the rim flanges I3 and I4 are flexible, thus not obstructing the removal of articles or containers as would obviously a rigid flange.

Manifestly many changes in construction, arrangement and Adetail may be made without departing from the principles of the improvement; for example the angle piece I9 may be in the form of a series of rigid angles 20 as indicated in Fig. 6. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific disclosed features except to the extent set forth in the claims.

1. A toilet or analogous case of leather or like material, comprising a base section adapted to rest flatly on a support or table, a top section of substantially the same length and width as the base section, a back strip connecting the base and top sections and of a width corresponding to the thickness of the closed case, and flexible rim flanges enclosing the ends and front of the case when closed, said sections having interior holding means for removably mounting various articles vor accessories thereon, said sections and strip being each relatively stiff but with a flexible joint or hinge between the base section and back strip about which the case may be swung open or nently at approximately right angles to each other, whereby when the case is open the base section and back strip rest flatly on the support while the top section upstands firmly approximately vertically therefrom and the articles mounted on both sections are accessibly displayed.

2. A toilet or analogous case of leather or like material, comprising a base section adapted to rest flatly on a support or table, a top section of substantially the same length and width as the base section, a back strip connecting the base and top sections and of a width corresponding to the thickness of the closed case, and flexible rim flanges on said sections provided with continuous fastening means for fastening together the flanges when the case is closed, said sections and stripbeing each. relatively stiff but with a ilexible joint -or hinge between the base section and back strip about which the case may be swung open or closed, and a concealed angle plate of stiff sheet material embedded in the back strip and top section with one of its walls coinciding with and embedded in the plane of the back strip and its other wall coinciding with and embedded in the plane of the top section, thereby holding i andere l while the top section upstands firmly approximately vertically therefrom and the articles mounted on both sections are accessibly displayed.

3. A leather traveling case of generally ilexible character having base and top sections and a` connecting back strip, with pliable rim flanges for enclosing the case sides when closed, the top section having means other than said rim anges substantially verticalwhen open, and the base section being'swinsingly connected with the back strip for the opening and closing of the case;

10 rigidly connecting it with the back strip stand said connecting means consisting of a rigid angle piece one wall of which is embodied flatly in the .LEOPOLD G. STANLEY. 10 

